Background: Treatment of ulcerative colitis depends on clinical stage of disease and have precise surgical indications. The aim of this work was to review surgical indications and present data related to our experience.

Methods: Retrospective, descriptive, and transversal study. We reviewed records of all patients who underwent a surgical procedure for ulcerative colitis at our service from March 1996 to March 2001.

Results: Twenty two patients, 13 males and nine females, ages range 21 to 72 years. Main indication for surgery was no response to medical treatment (50%). Surgical procedures was subtotal colectomy with ileostomy in one patient, intersphincteric proctocolectomy with ileostomy in four intersphincteric proctectomy with ileostomy in three ileorectalanastomosis in three proctocolectomy with ileoanal "J" pouch in six and proctectomy with ileoanal J pouch in five. We had the following complications: oral candidiasis; phlebitis; eventration; pouchitis, and anal fissure in one patient, respectively, pouch-skin fistula in two patients (9%), and retrograde ejaculation in one of these. Follow-up was for 5 years.

Conclusions: Surgical indications for ulcerative colitis are precise. We recommend early surgical evaluation. Ileoanal pouch is now considered the gold standard for surgical procedure because it eliminates disease, neoplasm development, and permanent extra-colonic manifestations, and restores continence.